A couple of days ago FDA issued a warning that a certain class of meds prescribed for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes can cause ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition. These drugs are SGLT2 inhibitors.

SGLT2 is a protein in humans that facilitates glucose reabsorption in the kidney. SGLT2 inhibitors block this action and prompt the kidneys to remove BG through urine. This leads to the lower BG levels.

The drugs are sold under the following brand names: Invokana, Invokamet, Farxiga, Xigduo XR, Jardiance, and Glyxambi. They were approved for use with diet & exercise to lower BG in adults with T2D.

In the last couple of years FDA received 20 reports of these drugs triggering ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition when levels of ketones (blood acids) are too high. If untreated, ketoacidosis can lead to a diabetic coma or even death. FDA said that all 20 patients had to go to the ER or were hospitalized.

Ketoacidosis typically affects people with T1D, but all of these cases involved people with T2D, and the condition manifested slightly differently than with T1D, FDA said in a news release.

People taking these drugs should watch out for the signs of ketoacidosis such as difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion and unusual fatigue or sleepiness, FDA said. Ketones can be detected with a urine test using a special strip similar to a blood testing strip. Your doctor can explain when and how to do that. You shouldn’t stop or change their diabetes meds without talking with a doctor first.